Jackson, a Yonkers native, was a former track and field standout at his alma mater Manhattan College. He began his career as circulation inspector for The New York Times in the 1950s. He went on to become circulation director of the Amsterdam News and the first black circulation director of a major newspaper, the now defunct, New York Knickerbocker. The newspapers' representative in the black community, he saw first hand the turbulent racial climate of the time. Jackson believed the answer to the community's problems was objective reporting and better media representation. Seeking to forge a meaningful link between the community, the media and world of corporate America, Jackson founded Circulation Experti, Ltd. in 1968. Circulation Experti has stayed true to his vision of showing companies how involvement in the black community can generate publicity as well as a greater market for their products. Jackson's clients have included Phillip Morris Companies, Reebok, Ryder, Chase Manhattan Bank and Miller Brewing Company. Jackson sits on the Board of Trustees of Manhattan College. As a syndicated columnist, he wrote a series of articles for Gannett's Westchester/Rockland Newspaper Group, as well as for the Boston Globe and the Chicago Sun-Times.